Grand Rapids MI vs Torrance CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 95,358 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.2 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 61.0% | 34.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 6.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 26.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $1,128,110 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 62.6°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 44.9 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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